As the universe inexplicably continues to chug along despite, or is it in spite, of the current state of the world, I'm really honored to support efforts to bring Today My Name is Billie by Neile Parisi out into the wider world. To quote a recent piece by Neile at Past-Ten:

"I pulled into the parking lot knowing that I would regret this visit, but I had promised my mom that I would go see her sister. Aunt Emily was a unique woman, who had survived California earthquakes and fires, the beating death of her husband, and the loss of all her earthly possessions. None of these had managed to affect her joy in life. She once said to me life is a banquet and I frequently visit the table."

And what could be more wonderful than that? How about Today My Name Is Billie itself, which also couldn't be more of a page-turner or summer read.

Please let me know if you have any questions and/or are interested in reviewing the book, interviewing the author, writing think pieces or generally engaging in the hype we're looking to generate for this most timely of books. For much more on all things Today My Name Is Billie please do go here.

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Past Ten is indeed terribly terrific. It is also terribly moving and I am in some terribly fine company. So, please do check it out. Thanks. Excerpt? Of course.

"I definitely had this narrative for you.

I was going to say something such as, it is not much to say that I had never published a book as of February 22, 2007, but I was less than a month away from my debut novel Lucky Man coming out, March 15, 2007 to be exact.

I had also been writing for around 10 years at that point.

I had two children.

I had a 9-5 job.

I was always overwhelmed, but I was managing.

And all of that is true.

I was also going to say that so many of the things I wanted during the ten years prior to February 22, 2007 started then. And that the 10 years since has been unique, a life filled with small successes and lots of cool shit. Published books. Meeting writers I admire. Speaking opportunities.

All of which fit neatly into a narrative I was, and have been, cranking out in my head both before, and during, the conception of this piece.

It's just that, while this is one possible narrative, and while I tell it to myself a lot, it overlooks a lot as well."